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differeces between superNova & superNova2

R

Roger Chandler

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
787
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Location
Rockingham, Virginia
Hello all,
I thought this might be of interest to some. I went by the Roanoke,Va, Woodcraft store after a business meeting, and picked up a SuperNova 2 chuck. they had it for 119.99 in the sales flyer. I already have a superNova and when I got it home and put it beside the Supernova the new model has larger slides and looks to be a bit beefier in the machining. I think this would probably lend itself to greater holding power.

I have several different jaw sets from the supernova that will fit the SN2 including the large power jaws. I intend to take the SN and put the cole jaws on it for finishing the bottoms, and use the SN2 as my main chuck for turning.

At 119.00, this is tremendous value for a first rate chuck. they have improved the SN2 with the backing plate, indexing, allen key with handle for adjusting it, and it comes with 50mm jaws and worm screw, wrenches,etc. Of course, you will need the correct size insert to fit your spindle size.
 
"Holding power" is the wrong way to look at a chuck. It's not something to grab and chew wood, it's something to hold it in place while you work. I don't own a II, but I have a couple of Supers, and I can say with complete confidence that the oversize gearing in the Super does not require any backing. It clears quickly with compressed air, and lubes easily with some wax. IF, and it's a big IF some grunge gets under the seal of the II, it might accumulate enough to actually affect the mechanism. Not sure it's an advantage.

I like to keep the 50s on one body, the 75s on another, and the pin jaws on the (original Nova) third. My Cole jaws spend 99.9% of their time on the hook. They're one of a number of things I should have passed on, even when I thought I could not do without them. I use the smooth wedges in the other jaws to chuck up a sanded and occasionally embellished bottom before working the interior, so I don't have to fuss with those often frustrating buttons. Seems like every shape I like they don't. Best use I've come up with, though since I gave up the 500+ minimum rpm Delta I don't do it often, was to counterbalance a piece turned deliberately off-center. You mount a set of fifties in the center, and use well-placed washers under the capscrews to smooth things out.
 
confidence in supernova

I agree with Micheal above. The SuperNova Chuck has served me flawlessly, and has been easily cleaned. I got a burr on mine and decided to replace the slides last year.

The SuperNova 2 looks to be every bit the chuck of the original supernova, only has larger slides, and the machining is top notch. Very, very nice, especially for the price. I believe this chuck will match up very well to anything on the market and at a lower price [at least from what I have seen]

At our club demos, they use a Pm 3520b and a Oneway stronghold chuck. This SuperNova 2 is very comparable in size and quality .... [imho]
 
I've had a SN for I don't know how many years and have never had any problems with it holding anything. I picked up a Titan just after they came out and the first time I had to clean it out, I lost the circlip (went flying like they love to do when released!). The US customer service folks were extremely nice and sent me a couple of replacements right away - BUT, I've never had this problem with the old SN as it cleans out right away with a bit of air. I really believe this closed back thing is seriously over rated.
 
I don't have one of the originals, but I have had the SN II for about 5 years now, and I love it. I've only opened it once, which was when I first got it so that I could clean out all of the factory grease. I used some WD-40 to lube it, and then put it back together. I haven't had an issue with any dust collecting behind the backing plate, so I've had no need clean it since then. I think you will be very happy with your purchase.

Matt
 
technique for removing the backing plate?

Matt Owen said:
I don't have one of the originals, but I have had the SN II for about 5 years now, and I love it. I've only opened it once, which was when I first got it so that I could clean out all of the factory grease. I used some WD-40 to lube it, and then put it back together. I haven't had an issue with any dust collecting behind the backing plate, so I've had no need clean it since then. I think you will be very happy with your purchase.

Matt
Click to expand...

Hi Matt,

I haven't taken a good look yet at the backing plate on my new SN2, but I did notice that there was a lot of factory grease on the chuck. I guess it is to keep it from rusting while in storage waiting for a customer to buy it.

I think cleaning it out would be a good idea. Is the back taken off by removing a snap ring? Of course my chuck is back home in my shop and I am at my computer, so I don' have it in front of me to reference.
 
The Supernova chucks are not a bad chuck they just recieved a lot of bad press about the knuckle not always locating properly and the back beign open.

As others have indicated they work fine and it is as always up to the user to keep their equipment in good order.

The upgrade to the SN2 was to quiten the masses by closing the back and locking the knuckle into the chuck so needing the use of an allen key.

The only real difference is the scroll on the SN2 will only allow the people who insist on opening their chuck jaws all the way open as far as the outer body whereas the early one like the original nova you could scroll the jaws past the outer limits and in some cases have flying projectiles across the room.

There should be a limit on how far people open the jaws so they are getting a proper grip on their peice from a full circle and not the outer points of the jaws.

We get asked a lot why do I keep losing bowls, platters etc and 99.9% of the time instead of using a larger set of jaws or creating a dovetail for the jaws to locate in, they have expanded the jaws to the limits and have very little purchase on the wood.

Rant over my 2c worth.
 
waltben said:
Now that's just amazing! Is it really progress when you've got to do all that as compared to a blast of compressed air in the open back of the old version?
Click to expand...

Over the 5 years that I've had mine, I did the maintenance once, and it took about 20 minutes. Since then, I've not had to do anything, including blowing out the back with compressed air.

I think the real reason for the back is for the indexing function of the chuck. This could be a nice benefit for those who don't have an indexing feature on their lathe.

It also keeps dust out of the gears.:cool2:

Matt
 
The problem with enclosed backs on any chuck (including my Titan), is that some amount of dust will get inside. After a while, and it took about two years with my Titan, the chuck action gets a bit sticky and you've got to take it apart to clean it out. My older SN does get more dust in it's gears, but I don't even have to take it off my lathe to blast the dust out. I do use my Titan (and a Technitool mini, a G3, and a Vicmarc 140) but not as much as my older SN, just because of how easy it is to keep clean.
 
if it ain't broke don't fix it

waltben said:
The problem with enclosed backs on any chuck (including my Titan), is that some amount of dust will get inside. After a while, and it took about two years with my Titan, the chuck action gets a bit sticky and you've got to take it apart to clean it out. My older SN does get more dust in it's gears, but I don't even have to take it off my lathe to blast the dust out. I do use my Titan (and a Technitool mini, a G3, and a Vicmarc 140) but not as much as my older SN, just because of how easy it is to keep clean.
Click to expand...

Hi Walt,

I really like my original SuperNova, and I wanted another chuck to be able to use one for keeping my cole jaws mounted to, for finishing bottoms. I haven't as of yet turned with my new SuperNova 2, but will give it a try. I also like the ease of cleaning on the original SN, and that has a lot of merit to making it a primary chuck used in turning. It is hard to argue with your point. I guess time will tell if I make the SN2 my primary or a secondary chuck.
 
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